This week, like in years past, advocates from across the state joined together to advocate for reproductive freedom at the Capitol. Adapting to COVID, this year was entirely virtual. Kicking off our day on the hill, Nina gave a grassroots lobbying training on Monday night, walking participants through the Tennessee government, reproductive freedom policy work, and practicing real life scenarios in preparation for their meetings with legislators the next day.

This week, like in years past, advocates from across the state joined together to advocate for reproductive freedom at the Capitol. Adapting to COVID, this year was entirely virtual. Kicking off our day on the hill, Nina gave a grassroots lobbying training on Monday night, walking participants through the Tennessee government, reproductive freedom policy work, and practicing real life scenarios in preparation for their meetings with legislators the next day. 

Advocates arrived to our virtual platform Tuesday morning ready to share their passion and enthusiasm for reproductive freedom with each other and their elected officials. Briana, Anna, and Elena introduced the day and answered any last minute questions about our bills and advocacy tips and tricks. Sarah, our intern, organized and scheduled meetings for participants to attend. Grassroots advocates were sent out to meet with their legislators, send emails, and make calls about our priority bills. Specifically, advocates were tasked with championing or building support for our Anti-Shackling Bill (SB1412/HB1579, Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Rep. Karen Camper) and Doula Resolution (HJR4, Rep. London Lamar). Participants reported back to our virtual space with exciting news about connections they had made with legislators on our issues! 

Around midday, Dawn Harrington, Director of Free Hearts, gave a presentation for advocates on Free Hearts’ policy platform and shared stories about their priorities and working with Healthy and Free TN on the anti-shackling bill. After Dawn’s presentation, we tuned into the House Health Subcommittee meeting to see Rep. London Lamar present our resolution, recognizing doulas as vital birth workers. After a brief statement from Rep. Lamar and an endorsement from the subcommittee Chair, Rep. Bob Ramsey, the resolution passed unanimously! We were so excited to share this moment with so many of our supporters together in a virtual space. 

The day concluded with an amazing panel of speakers discussing the importance of doula care for pregnant and birthing Tennesseans. Moderated by Elena, our If/When/How RJ Policy Fellow, the panel explored the benefits of doula care and the role doulas play in mitigating birth trauma. Panelists included Lauren William-Batiste, a parent and doula client, Mia Peake, founder of Peake Wellness Doula Agency, Dr. Nikia Grayson, Director of Clinical Services at CHOICES, and Tyresa Husbands, Vice President and Program Manager of Homeland Heart Birth and Wellness doula Collective. 

We are so excited to share Elena’s op-ed in the Tennessee Lookout on the importance of doulas in combating the maternal mortality and health crisis in Tennessee, particularly among Black and brown women and birthing people. This week the full House Health Committee will hear the doula resolution this Wednesday. Fortunately, SB205/HB200, adding housing instability to the list of factors a judge may consider when terminating parental rights, was taken off notice last week in the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee. We will be watching to see if that bill returns.

Thank you to all of our supporters and advocates who took time to come to our Virtual Day on the Hill and make the event such a success! If you could not make it or would like to stay involved, stay tuned for additional advocacy events and opportunities this session and beyond.

Have another blog post idea to pitch?

With weekly blog posts and analysis, we hope to cover a wide range of issues other state-based media missed and introduce our readers to emerging policy debates and current trends in reproductive freedom analysis. These blog posts will pull on the expertise and experience of our staff and community. If you have an idea and would like to pitch a post for us, please email Nina at [email protected] to discuss.